LATIN MAXIMS Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea -

Have a healthy dose of your Latin Legal The act does not make one guilty unless
Maxims there be a criminal intent.

Actus reus - A guilty deed or act.

A
Ad ea quae frequentius acciduunt jura
A mensa et thoro - From bed and board. adaptantur - The laws are adapted to
those cases which occur more frequently.
A vinculo matrimonii - From the bond of
matrimony. Ad hoc - For this purpose.

Ab extra - From outside. Ad infinitum - Forever, without limit, to

infinity.
Ab initio - From the beginning.
Ad perpetuam rei memoriam - For a
Absoluta sententia expositore non perpetual memorial of the matter.
indiget - An absolute judgment needs no
expositor. Ad quaestionem facti non respondent
judices; ad quaestionem legis non
Abundans cautela non nocet - Abundant respondent juratores - The judges do not
caution does no harm. answer to a question of fact; the jury do
not answer to a question of Law.
Accessorium non ducit sed sequitur
suum principale - An accessory does not Aedificare in tuo proprio solo non licet
draw, but follows its principal. quod alteri noceat - It is not lawful to
build on one's own land what may be
Accessorius sequitur - One who is an injurious to another.
accessory to the crime cannot be guilty of
a more serious crime than the principal Aequitas legem sequitur - Equity follows
offender. the law.

Acta exteriora iudicant interiora secreta - Aequitas nunquam contravenit legem -

Outward acts indicate the inward intent. Equity never contradicts the law.

Actio non accrevit infra sex annos - The Alibi - At another place, elsewhere.
action has not accrued within six years.
Alienatio rei praefertur juri accrescendi -
Actio non datur non damnificato - An Alienation is preferred by law rather than
action is not given to one who is not accumulation.
injured.
Aliunde - From elsewhere, or, from a
Actio personalis moritur cum persona - A different source
personal action dies with the person.
Allegans contraria non est audiendus -
Actiones legis - Law suits. One making contradictory statements is
not to be heard.
Actori incumbit onus probandi - The
burden of proof lies on the plaintiff. Allegans suam turpitudinem non est
audiendus - One alleging his own infamy
Actus nemini facit injuriam - The act of is not to be heard.
the law does no one wrong.

1
Allegatio contra factum non est Arma in armatos sumere jura sinunt -
admittenda - An allegation contrary to a The laws permit the taking up of arms
deed is not to be heard. against the armed.

Ambiguitas contra stipulatorem est - An Assentio mentium - The meeting of

ambiguity is most strongly construed minds, i.e. mutual assent.
against the party using it.
Assignatus utitur jure auctoris - An
Ambiguitas verborum patens nulla assignee is clothed with rights of his
verificatione excluditur - A patent assignor.
ambiguity is never helped by averment.
Audi alteram partem - Hear the other
Amicus curiae - A friend of the Court. side.

Angliae jura in omni casu libertati dant Aula regis - The King's Court.
favorem - The laws of England are
favorable in every case to liberty. B
Animo furandi - With an intention of Benignior sententia in verbis generalibus
stealing. seu dubiis est preferenda - The more
favorable construction is to be placed on
Animo testandi - With the intention of general or doubtful words.
making a will.
Bis dat qui cito dat - He gives (pays) twice
Annus luctus - The year of mourning. who pays promptly.
Ante - Before. Bona fide - Sincere, in good faith
Aqua currit et debet currere, ut currere Bona vacantia - Goods without an owner
solebat - Water runs and ought to run.
Boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem -
It is the part of a good judge to enlarge his
Arbitrium est judicium - An award is a jurisdiction, i.e. remedial authority.
judgment.
Boni judicis est judicium sine dilatione
Arbor dum crescit; lignum cum crescere mandare executioni - It is the duty of a
nescit - A tree while it grows, wood when it good judge to cause execution to issue a
cannot grow. judgment without delay.
Argumentum ab auctoritate fortissimum Boni judicis lites dirimere est - It is the
est in lege - An argument drawn from duty of a good judge to prevent litigation.
authority is the strongest in law.
Bonus judex secundum aequum et
Argumentum ab impossibilii plurimum bonum judicat et aequitatem stricto juri
valet in lege - An argument from praefert - A good judge decides according
impossibility is very strong in law. to justice and right and prefers equity to
strict law.
Argumentum ad hominem - An
argument directed at the person. Breve judiciale non cadit pro defectu
formae - A judicial writing does not fail
Argumentum ad ignoratiam - An through defect of form.
argument based upon ignorance (i.e. of
one's adversary).

2
 C Contra bonos mores - Against good
morals.
Cadit quaestio - The matter admits of no
further argument. Contra non valentem agere nulla currit
praescriptio - No prescription runs against
Cassetur billa (breve) - Let the writ be a person not able to act.
quashed.
Contractus est quasi actus contra actum
Casus fortuitus non est spectandus; et - A contract is an act as it were against an
nemo tenetur divinare - A fortuitous act.
event is not to be foreseen and no person
is bound to divine it. Conventio et modus vincunt legem - A
contract and agreement overcome the
Catalla reputantur inter minima in lege - law.
Chattels are considered in law among the
minor things. Conventio privatorum non potest
publico juri derogare - An agreement of
Causa proxima, non remota spectatur - private persons cannot derogate from
The immediate, and not the remote cause public right.
is to be considered.
Coram Domino Rege - In the presence of
Caveat emptor - Let the purchaser our Lord the King.
beware.
Coram non judice - Before one who is not
Caveat venditor - Let the seller beware. a judge.

Cepi corpus et est languidum - I have Corpus - Body.

taken the body and the prisoner is sick.
Corpus delicti - The body, i.e. the gist of
Cepi corpus et paratum habeo - I have crime.
taken the body and have it ready.
Corpus humanum non recipit
Ceteris paribus - Other things being aestimationem - A human body is not
equal. susceptible of appraisement.

Consensu - Unanimously or, by general Crescente malitia crescere debet et

consent. poena - Vice increasing, punishment
ought also to increase.
Consensus ad idem - Agreement as to the
same things. Crimen omnia ex se nata vitiat - Crime
vitiates everything, which springs from it.
Consuetudo loci observanda est - The
custom of the place is to be observed. Crimen trahit personam - The crime
carries the person.
Contemporanea expositio est optima et
fortissima in lege - A contemporaneous Cujus est dare, ejus est disponere - He
exposition is best and most powerful in who has a right to give has the right to
law. dispose of the gift.

Contra - To the contrary. Cujus est solum, ejus est usque ad

coelam; et ad inferos - He who owns the
soil owns it up to the sky; and to its depth.

3
Cum duo inter se pugnantia reperiuntur Debitum in praesenti, solvendum in
in testamentis ultimum ratum est - futuro - A present debt is to be discharged
When two things repugnant to each other in the future.
are found in a will, the last is to be
confirmed. Delegata potestas non potest delegari -
A delegated authority cannot be again
Cursus curiae est lex curiae - The practice delegated.
of the court is the law of the court.
Derivativa potestas non potest esse
Custos morum - A guardian of morals. major primitiva - The power which is
derived cannot be greater than that from
D which it is derived.

Damnum sine injuria - damage without Deus solus haeredem facere potest, non
legal injury. homo - God alone, not man, can make an
heir.
De bonis asportatis - Of goods carried
away. Dies Dominicus non est juridicus -
Sunday is not a day in law.
De bonis non administratis - Of goods not
administered. Discretio est discernere per legem quid
sit justum - Discretion is to discern
De die in diem - From day to day. through law what is just.

De facto - In fact. Doli incapax - Incapable of crime.

De futuro - In the future. Dominium - Ownership.

De integro - As regards the whole. Domus sua cuique est tutissimum

refugium - Every man's house is his safest
De jure - Rightful, by right. refuge.

De minimis lex non curat - The law does Dona clandestina sunt semper
not notice trifling matters. suspiciosa - Clandestine gifts are always
suspicious.
De novo - Starting afresh.
Dormiunt leges aliquando, nunquam
Debile fundamentum fallit opus - Where moriuntur - The laws sometimes sleep, but
there is a weak foundation, the work fails. never die.

Debita sequuntur personam debitoria - Doti lex favet; praemium pudoris est;
Debts follow the person of the debtor. ideo parcatur - The law favors dower; it is
the reward of chastity, therefore let it be
Debitor non praesumitur donare - A preserved.
debtor is not presumed to make a gift.
Dubitante - Doubting the correctness of
Debitum et contractus sunt nullius loci - the decision.
Debt and contract are of no particular
place. Duo non possunt in solido unam rem
possidere - Two cannot possess one thing
each in entirety.

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 E Executio est executio juris secundum
judicium - Execution is the fulfillment of
Ei incumbit probatio qui - The onus of the law in accordance with the judgment.
proving a fact rests upon the man.
Executio est finis et fructus legis - An
Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui execution is the end and the fruit of the
negat - The burden of the proof lies upon law.
him who affirms, not he who denies.
Executio legis non habet injuriam -
Error, qui non resistitur approbatur - An Execution of the law does no injury.
error not resisted is approved.
Extra legem positus est civiliter mortuus
Et cetera - Other things of that type. - One out of the pale of the law (i.e. an
outlaw) is civilly dead.
Ex cathedra - With official authority.
F
Ex concessis - In view of what has already
been accepted/ Faciendum - Something which is to be
done.
Ex dolo malo actio non oritur - A right of
action cannot arise out of fraud. Factum - An act or deed.

Ex facie - On the fact of it. Facultas probationum non est

angustanda - The right of offering proof is
Ex gratia - Out of kindness, voluntary. not to be narrowed.

Ex nihilo nil fit - From nothing nothing Falsa demonstratio non nocet - A false
comes. description does not vitiate.

Ex nudo pacto actio non oritur - No Fatetur facinus qui judicium fugit - He
action arises on a contract without a who flees judgment confesses his guilt.
consideration.
Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere
Ex parte - Proceeding brought by one causas - Happy is he who has been able to
person in the absence of another. understand the causes of things.

Ex post facto - By reason of a subsequent Felonia implicatur in qualibet proditione

act. - Felony is implied in every treason.

Ex praecedentibus et consequentibus Festinatio justitiae est noverca infortunii

optima fit interpretatio - The best - The hurrying of justice is the stepmother
interpretation is made from things of misfortune.
preceding and following.
Fictio cedit veritati; fictio juris non est,
Ex turpi causa non oritur actio - No action ubi veritas - Fiction yields to truth. Where
arises on an immoral contract. truth is, fiction of law does not exist.

Exceptio probat regulam - An exception Fides servanda est - Good faith is to be

proves the rule. preserved.

Fieri facias (abreviated fi. fa.) - That you

cause to be made.

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Filiatio non potest probari - Filiation Generalis regula generaliter est
cannot be proved. intelligenda - A general rule is to be
generally understood.
Firmior et potentior est operatio legis
quam dispositio hominis - The operation Gravius est divinam quam temporalem
of law is firmer and more powerful than laedere majestatem - It is more serious to
the will of man. hurt divine than temporal majesty.

Forma legalis forma essentialis est - H

Legal form is essential form.
Habeas corpus - That you have the body.
Fortior est custodia legis quam hominis -
The custody of the law is stronger than Habemus optimum testem confitentem
that of man. reum - We have the best witness, a
confessing defendant.
Fractionem diei non recipit lex - The law
does not regard a fraction of a day. Haeredem est nomen collectum - Heir is
a collective name.
Fraus est celare fraudem - It is a fraud to
conceal a fraud. Haeres est nomen juris, filius est nomen
naturae - Heir is a term of law, son, one of
Fraus est odiosa et non praesumenda - nature.
Fraud is odious and is not to be presumed.
Haeres legitimus est quem nuptiae
Fraus et jus nunquam cohabitant - Fraud demonstrant - He is the lawful heir whom
and justice never dwell together. the marriage indicates.
Fructus naturales - Vegetation which Homo vocabulum est naturae; persona
grows naturally without cultivation. juris civilis - Man is a term of nature,
person of the civil law.
Frustra probatur quod probatum non
relevat - That is proved in vain which when
proved is not relevant. I
Furor contrahi matrimonium non sinit, Id est (i.e) - That is.
quia consensus opus est - Insanity
prevents marriage from being contracted Id quod commune est, nostrum esse
because consent is needed. dicitur - That which is common is said to
be ours.
G Idem - The same person or thing.
Generale nihil certum implicat - A general Idem nihil dicere et insufficienter dicere
expression implies nothing certain. est - It is the same to say nothing as not to
say enough.
Generalia praecedunt, specialia
sequuntur - Things general precede, Ignorantia facti excusat, ignorantia juris
things special follow. non excusat - Ignorance of fact excuses,
ignorance of law does not excuse.
Generalia specialibus non derogant -
Things general do not derogate from Imperium in imperio - A sovereignty
things special. within a sovereignty.

6
 In limine - At the outset, on the threshold.
Impotentia excusat legem - Impossibility
is an excuse in the law. In loco parentis - In place of the parent.

Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat - In mortua manu - In a dead hand.

Impunity always leads to greater crimes.
In novo casu novum remedium
In aequali jure melior est conditio apponendum est - In a new case a new
possidentis - When the parties have equal remedy is to be applied.
rights, the condition of the possessor is
better. In omni re nascitur res quae ipsam rem
exterminat - In everything is born that
In alta proditione nullus potest esse which destroys the thing itself.
acessorius; sed principalis solum modo -
In high treason no one can be an In omnibus - In every respect.
accessory; but a principal only.
In pari delicto potior est conditio
In Anglia non est interregnum - In possidentis - When the parties are equally
England there is no interregnum. in the wrong the condition of the
possessor is better.
In camera - In private.
In personam - Against the person.
In casu extremae necessitatis omnia
sunt communia - In a case of extreme In pleno - In full.
necessity everything is common.
In quo quis delinquit in eo de jure est
In criminalibus probationes debent esse puniendus - In whatever thing one offends
luce clariores - In criminal cases the proof in that he is to be punished according to
ought to be cleared than the light. law.

In curia domini regis, ipse in propria In re dubia magis inficiatio quam

persona jura discernit - In the King s affirmatio intelligenda - In a doubtful
Court, the King himself in his own person matter the negative is to be understood
dispenses justice. rather than the affirmative.

In delicto - At fault. In republica maxime conservanda sunt

jura belli - In a State the laws of war are to
In esse - In existence. be especially observed.

In extenso - At full length. In situ - In its place.

In fictione legis aequitas existit - A legal In terrorem - As a warning or deterrent.

fiction is consistent with equity.
In testamentis plenius testatoris
In foro conscientiae - In the forum of intentionem scrutamur - In wills we seek
conscience. diligently the intention of the testator.

In futoro - In the future. In traditionibus scriptorum non quod

dictum est, sed quod gestum est,
In jure non remota causa sed proxima inspicitur - In the delivery of writings
spectatur - In law not the remote but the (deeds), not what is said but what is done
proximate cause is looked at. is to be considered.

7
In verbis, non verba sed res et ratio Invito beneficium non datur - A benefit is
quaerenda est - In words, not words, but not conferred upon one against his
the thing and the meaning are to be consent.
inquired into.
Ipsissima verba - The very words of a
Indicia - Marks, signs. speaker.

Injuria non excusat injuriam - A wrong Ipso facto - By that very fact.
does not excuse a wrong.
Ira furor brevis est - Anger is brief insanity.
Intentio inservire debet legibus, non
leges intentioni - Intention ought to be Iter arma leges silent - In war the laws are
subservient to the laws, not the laws to the silent.
intention.
J
Inter alia - Amongst other things.
Judex est lex loquens - A judge is the law
Interest reipublicae res judicatas non speaking.
rescindi - It is in the interest of the State
that things adjudged be not rescinded. Judex non potest esse testis in propira
causa - A judge cannot be witness in his
own cause.
Interest reipublicae suprema hominum
testamenta rata haberi - It is in the Judex non potest injuriam sibi datam
interest of the State that men's last wills be punire - A judge cannon punish a wrong
sustained. done to himself.
Interest reipublicae ut quilibet re sua Judex non reddit plus quam quod
bene utatur - It is in the interest of the petens ipse requirit - A judge does not
State that every one use properly his own give more than the plaintiff himself
property. demands.
Interest reipublicase ut sit finis litium - It Judiciis posterioribus fides est
is in the interest of the State that there be adhibenda - Faith must be given to later
an end to litigation. decisions.
Interim - Temporary, in the meanwhile. Judicis est judicare secundum allegata
et probata - It is the duty of a judge to
Interpretare et concordare leges legibus decide according to the allegations and
est optimus interpretandi modus - To the proofs.
interpret and harmonize laws is the best
method of interpretation. Judicium non debet esse illusorium,
suum effectum habere debet - A
Interpretatio fienda est ut res magis judgment ought not to be illusory; it ought
valeat quam pereat - Such a construction to have its proper effect.
is to be made that the thing may have
effect rather than it should fail. Juduces non tenentur exprimere causam
sententiae suae - Judges are not bound to
Interruptio multiplex non tollit explain the reason of their judgment.
praescriptionem semel obtentam -
Repeated interruption does not defeat a Jura naturae sunt immutabilia - The laws
prescription once obtained. of nature are immutable.

8
Jura publica anteferenda privatis juribus Justitia nemini neganda est - Justice is to
- Public rights are to be preferred to private be denied to no one.
rights.
L
Juramentum est indivisibile et non est
admittendum in parte verum et in parte Leges posteriores priores contrarias
falsum - An oath is indivisible and it is not abrogant - Subsequent laws repeal prior
to be held partly true and partly false. conflicting ones.
Jurare est Deum in testem vocare, et est Legibus sumptis desinentibus legibus
actus divini cultus - To swear is to call God naturae utendum est - When laws
to witness and is an act of divine worship. imposed by the State fail, we must use the
laws of nature.
Jus - A right that is recognised in law.
Lex aliquando sequitur aequitatem - The
Jus accrescendi praefertur oneribus - law sometimes follows equity.
The right of survivorship is preferred to
incumbrances. Lex citius tolerare vult privatum
damnum quam publicum malum - The
Jus ad rem; jus in re - A right to a thing; a law would rather tolerate a private injury
right in a thing. than a public evil.
Jus dicere, non jus dare - To declare the Lex dabit remedium - The law will give a
law, not to make the law. remedy.
Jus est norma recti; et quicquid est Lex dilationes abhorret - The law abhors
contra normam recti est injuria - The law delays.
is a rule of right; and whatever is contrary
to a rule of right is an injury. Lex est judicum tutissimus ductor - The
law is the safest guide for judges.
Jus naturale - Natural justice.
Lex est sanctio sancta jubens honesta et
Jus naturale est quod apud omnes prohibens contraria - The law is a sacred
homines eandem habet potentiam - sanction, commanding what is right and
Natural right is that which has the same prohibiting the contrary.
force among all men.
Lex indendit vicinum vicini facta scire -
Jus scriptum aut non scriptum - The The law presumes that one neighbor
written law or the unwritten law. knows the acts of another.
Jusjurandum inter alios factum nec Lex necessitatis est lex temporis i.e.
nocere nec prodesse debet - An oath instantis - The law of necessity is the law of
made between third parties ought neither time, that is time present.
to hurt nor profit.
Lex neminem cogit ad vana seu
Justitia est duplec; severe puniens et impossiblia - The law compels no one to
vere praeveniens - Justice is two-fold; do vain or impossible things.
severely punishing and in reality
prohibiting (offences). Lex nil frustra facit - The law does nothing
in vain.
Justitia firmatur solium - The throne is
established by justice.

9
Lex non a rege est violanda - The law Longa possessio parit jus possidendi et
must not be violated even by the King. tollit actionem vero domino - Long
possession produces the right of
Lex non deficere potest in justitia possession and takes away from the true
exhibenda - The law cannot fail in owner his action.
dispensing justice.
M
Lex non novit patrem, nec matrem;
solam veritatem - The law does not know Magister rerum usus; magistra rerum
neither father nor mother, only the truth. experientia - Use is the master of things;
experience is the mistress of things.
Lex non oritur ex injuria - The law does
not arise from a mere injury. Major continet in se minus - The greater
contains the less.
Lex non requirit verificari quod apparet
curiae - The law does not require that to Majus est delictum se ipsum occidere
be proved which is apparent to the Court. quam alium - It is a greater crime to kill
one s self than another.
Lex non favet delicatorum votis - The law
does not favor the wishes of the dainty. Mala fide - In bad faith.
Lex plus laudatur quando ratione Mala grammatica non vitiat chartam -
probatur - The law is more praised when it Bad grammar does not vitiate a deed.
is supported by reason.
Mala in se - Bad in themselves.
Lex prospicit non respicit - The law looks
forward, not backward. Mala prohibita - Crimes prohibited.
Lex punit mendaciam - The law punishes Malitia supplet aesatem - Malice supplies
falsehood. age.
Lex rejicit superflua, pugnatia, incongrua Malo animo - With evil intent.
- The law rejects superfluous, contradictory
and incongruous things. Mandamus - We command.
Lex spectat naturae ordinem - The law Maximus magister erroris populus est -
regards the order of nature. The people are the greatest master of
error.
Lex succurrit ignoranti - The law succors
the ignorant. Melior est conditio possidentis, ubi
neuter jus habet - Better is the condition
Lex tutissima cassis, sub clypeo legis of the possessor where neither of the two
nemo decipitur - Law is the safest helmet; has the right.
under the shield of the law no one is
deceived. Melior testatoris in testamentis
spectanda est - In wills the intention of a
Lex uno ore omnes alloquitur - The law testator is to be regarded.
speaks to all through one mouth.
Meliorem conditionem suam facere
Longa possessio est pacis jus - Long potest minor deteriorem nequaquam - A
possession is the law of peace. minor can make his position better, never
worse.

10
 Nemo admittendus est inhabilitare se
Mens rea - Guilty state of mind. ipsum - No one is allowed to incapacitate
himself.
Mentiri est contra mentem ire - To lie is to
act against the mind. Nemo bis punitur pro eodem delicto - No
one can be twice punished for the same
Merito beneficium legis amittit, qui offense.
legem ipsam subvertere intendit - He
justly loses the benefit of the law who Nemo cogitur suam rem vendere, etiam
seeks to infringe the law. justo pretio - No one is bound to sell his
own property, even for a just price.
Minatur innocentibus qui parcit
nocentibus - He threatens the innocent Nemo contra factum suum venire potest
who spares the guilty. - No man can contradict his own deed.

Misera est servitus, ubi jus est vagum aut Nemo debet esse judex in propria causa
incertum - It is a miserable slavery where - No one can be judged in his own case.
the law is vague or uncertain.
Nemo plus juris transferre ad alium
Mors dicitur ultimum supplicium - Death potest quam ipse habet - No one can
is called the extreme penalty. transfer to another a larger right than he
himself has.
Muilta exercitatione facilius quam
regulis percipies - You will perceive many Nemo potest contra recordum verificare
things more easily by experience than by per patriam - No one can verify by the
rules. country, that is, through a jury, against the
record.
N
Nemo potest esse tenens et dominus -
Nam nemo haeres viventis - For no one is No one can at the same time be a tenant
an heir of a living person. and a landlord (of the same tenement).

Naturae vis maxima est - The force of Nemo potest facere per alium, quod per
nature is the greatest. se non potest - No one can do through
another what he cannot do himself.
Necessitas inducit privilegium quoad
jura privata - With respect to private rights Nemo potest mutare consilium suum in
necessity induces privilege. alterius injuriam - No one can change his
purpose to the injury of another.
Necessitas non habet legem - Necessity
has no law. Nemo praesumitur esse immemor suae
aeternae salutis et maxime in articulo
Necessitas publica est major quam mortis - No one is presumed to be
privata - Public necessity is greater than forgetful of his eternal welfare, and
private necessity. particularly in the hour of death.

Negligentia semper habet infortuniam Nemo prohibetur pluribus defensionibus

comitem - Negligence always has uti - No one is forbidden to make use of
misfortune for a companion. several defences.

Nemo punitur pro alieno delicto - No one

is punished for the crime of another.

11
Nemo se accusare debet, nisi coram Deo what is known to the judge if it is not
- No one should accuse himself except in known judicially.
the presence of God.
Non sequitur - An inconsistent statement,
Nemo tenetur accusare se ipsum nisi it does not follow
coram Deo - No one is bound to accuse
himself except in the presence of God. Nullus commodum capere potest ex sua
injuria propria - No one can derive an
Nemo tenetur armare adversarium advantage from his own wrong.
contra se - No one is bound to arm his
adversary against himself. Nullus recedat e curia cancellaria sine
remedio - No one should depart from a
Nexus - Connection Court of Chancery without a remedy.

Nihil quod est inconveniens est licitum - O

Nothing inconvenient is lawful.
Omne sacramentum debet esse de certa
Nil facit error nominis cum de corpore scientia - Every oath ought to be of certain
constat - An error of name makes no knowledge.
difference when it appears from the body
of the instrument. Omnia delicta in aperto leviora sunt - All
crimes (committed) in the open are
Nisi - Unless (considered) lighter.
Non compus mentis - Not of sound mind Omnia praesumuntur contra spoliatorem
and understanding - All things are presumed against a
wrongdoer.
Non constat - It is not certain
Omnis innovatio plus novitate perturbat
Non decipitur qui scit se decipi - He is not quam utilitate prodeat - Every innovation
deceived who knows that he is deceived. disturbs more by its novelty than it
benefits by its utility.
Non definitur in jure quid sit conatus -
What an attempt is, is not defined in law. Optima legum interpres est consuetudo
- The best interpreter of laws is custom.
Non est arctius vinculum inter homines
quam jusjurandum - There is no stronger Optimus interpres rerum est usus - The
link among men than an oath. best interpreter of things is usage.
Non est factum - It is not his deed
P
Non est informatus - He is not informed.
Pacta privata juri publico non derogare
Non facias malum ut inde veniat bonum possunt - Private contracts cannot
- You shall not do evil that good may come derogate from public law.
of it.
Par delictum - Equal fault.
Non jus, sed seisina, facit stipitem - Not
right, but seisin makes a stock (from which Pari passu - On an equal footing.
the inheritance must descend).
Partus sequitur ventrem - The offspring
Non refert quid notum sit judici si notum follows the mother.
non sit in forma judicii - It matters not

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Pater est quem nuptiae demonstrant - Qui non habet potestatem alienandi,
The father is he whom the marriage points habet necessitatem retinendi - He who
out. has not the power of alienating is under
the necessity of retaining.
Peccata contra naturam sunt gravissima
- Wrongs against nature are the most Qui non habet, ille non dat - He who has
serious. not, does not give.

Pendente lite nihil innovetur - During Qui non improbat, approbat - He who
litigation nothing should be changed. does not disapprove, approves.

Per curiam - In the opinion of the court. Qui non obstat quod obstare potest
facere videtur - He who does not prevent
Per minas - By means of menaces or what he is able to prevent, is considered as
threats. committing the thing.

Per quod - By reason of which. Qui non prohibet quod prohibere potest
assentire videtur - He who does not
Post mortem - After death. prohibit when he is able to prohibit, is in
fault.
Prima facie - On the face of it.
Qui peccat ebrius, luat sobrius - He who
Prima impressionis - On first impression. does wrong when drunk must be
punished when sober.
Pro hac vice - For this occasion.
Qui potest et debet vetare et non vetat
Pro rata - In proportion. jubet - He who is able and ought to forbit
and does not, commands.
Pro tanto - So far, to that extent.
Qui prior est tempore potior est jure - He
Pro tempore - For the time being. who is prior in time is stronger in right.

Publici juris - Of public right. Qui sentit commodum, debet et sentire

onus - He who derives a benefit ought also
Q to bear a burden.

Quaeitur - The question is raised. Qui tacet consentire videtur - He who is

silent appears to consent.
Quantum - How much, an amount.
Quid pro quo - Consideration. something
Qui facit per alium, facit per se - He who for something.
acts through another acts himself.
Quidcquid plantatur solo, solo cedit -
Qui haeret in litera, haeret in cortice - He Whatever is planted in or affixed to the soil,
who sticks to the letter, sticks to the bark. belongs to the soil.

Qui in utero est, pro jam nato habetur, Quod ab initio non valet, in tractu
quoties de ejus commodo quaeritur - He temporis non convalescit - What is not
who is in the womb is considered as valid in the beginning does not become
already born as far as his benefit is valid by time.
considered.

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Quod constat curiae opere testium non
indiget - What appears to the Court needs Res integra - A matter untouched (by
not the help of witnesses. decision).

Quod necessarie intelligitur, id non deest Res inter alios acta alteri nocere non
- What is necessarily understood is not debet - Things done between strangers
wanting. ought not to affect a third person, who is a
stranger to the transaction.
Quod necessitas cogit, defendit - What
necessity forces it justifies. Res judicata accipitur pro veritate - A
thing adjudged is accepted for the truth.
Quod non apparet, non est - What does
not appear, is not. Res nulis - Nobody's property.

Quod non habet principium non habet Respondeat superior - Let the principal
finem - What has no beginning has no answer.
end.
Rex est major singulis, minor universis -
Quod per me non possum, nec per alium The King is greater than individuals, less
- What I cannot do through myself, I than all the people.
cannot do through another.
Rex non debet judicare sed secundum
Quod prius est verius est; et quod prius legem - The King ought not to judge but
est tempore potius est jure - What is first according to the law.
is more true; and what is prior in time is
stronger in law. Rex non potest peccare - The King can do
no wrong.
Quod vanum et inutile est, lex non
requirit - The law does not require what is Rex nunquma moritur - The King never
vain and useless. dies.

Quoties in verbis nulla est ambiguitas, Rex quod injustum est facere non potest
ibi nulla expositio contra verba expressa - The King cannot do what is unjust.
fienda est - When there is no ambiguity in
words, then no exposition contrary to the S
expressed words is to be made.
Salus populi est suprema lex - The safety
R of the people is the supreme law.

Ratio est legis anima, mutata legis Sciens - Knowingly.

ratione mutatur et lex - Reason is the soul
of the law; when the reason of the law Scienter - Knowingly.
changes the law also is changed.
Scire facias - That you cause to know.
Re - In the matter of.
Scribere est agere - To write is to act.
Reprobata pecunia leberat solventem -
Money refused releases the debtor. Se defendendo - In self defence.

Res - Matter, affair, thing, circumstance. Secus - The legal position is different, it is
otherwise.
Res gestae - Things done.

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Semper praesumitur pro legitimatione Suppressio veri - The suppression of the
puerorum - Everything is presumed in truth.
favor of the legitimacy of children.
Suppressio veri expressio falsi - A
Semper pro matriomonio praesumitur - suppression of truth is equivalent to an
It is always presumed in favor of marriage. expression of falsehood.

Sententia interlocutoria revocari potest, T

definitiva non potest - An interlocutory
order can be revoked, a final order cannot Talis qualis - Such as it is.
be.
Terra firma - Solid ground.
Servitia personalia sequuntur personam
- Personal services follow the person. Testamenta latissimam interpretationem
habere debent - Testaments ought to
Sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas - So have the broadest interpretation.
use your own as not to injure another's
property. Traditio loqui chartam facit - Delivery
makes a deed speak.
Simplex commendatio non obligat - A
simple recommendation does not bind. Transit terra cum onere - The land passes
with its burden.
Stare decisis - To stand by decisions
(precedents).
U
Stet - Do not delete, let it stand.
Ubi eadem ratio ibi idem jus, et de
Sub modo - Within limits. similibus idem est judicium - When there
is the same reason, then the law is the
Sub nomine - Under the name of. same, and the same judgment should be
rendered as to similar things.
Sub silentio - In silence.
Ubi jus ibi remedium est - Where there is
Sublata causa, tollitur effectus - The a right there is a remedy.
cause being removed, the effect ceases.
Ubi non est principalis, non potest esse
Sublato fundamento, cadit opus - The accessorius - Where there is no principal,
foundation being removed, the structure there can be no accessory.
falls.
Ubi nullum matrimonium, ibi nulla dos
Subsequens matrimonium tollit es - Where there is no marriage, there is no
peccatum praecedens - A subsequent dower.
marriage removes the preceding wrong.
Ultima voluntas testatoris est
Suggestio falsi - The suggestion of perimplenda secundum veram
something which is untrue. intentionem suam - The last will of a
testator is to be fulfilled according to his
Sui generis - Unique. true intention.

Summa ratio est quae pro religione facit Ut poena ad paucos, metus ad omnes,
- The highest reason is that which makes perveniat - That punishment may come to
for religion, i.e. religion dictates. a few, the fear of it should affect all.

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Utile per inutile non vitiatur - What is
useful is not vitiated by the useless.

V
Verba chartarum fortius accipiuntur
contra preferentem - The words of deeds
are accepted more strongly against the
person offering them.

Verba debent intelligi cum effectu -

Words ought to be understood with effect.

Verba intentioni, non e contra, debent

inservire - Words ought to serve the
intention, not the reverse.

Verbatim - Word by word, exactly.

Vi et armis - With the force and arms.

Via antiqua via est tuta - The old way is

the safe way.

Vice versa - The other way around.

Vide - See.

Vigilantibus non dormientibus jura

subveniunt - The laws serve the vigilant,
not those who sleep.

Vir et uxor consentur in lege una

persona - A husband and wife are
regarded in law as one person.

Visitationem commendamus - We
recommend a visitation.

Volens - Willing.

Volenti non fit injuria - An injury is not

done to one consenting to it.

Voluntas in delictis non exitus spectatur

- In offences the intent and not the result is
looked at.

Voluntas reputatur pro facto - The will is

taken for the deed.

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